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I purchased a course from someone I never heard of until 5 minutes ago — here’s why

I made a snap decision and purchased a course last week.

Snap decisions are normally not my style. Buying courses, on the other hand, I do that pretty regularly and feel good about it.

In case you had doubts, I believe in this industry, as both a provider of courses and a consumer of them. I love being in extended relationships with certain teachers, and staying connected to their communities and programs. Right now I’m in a long-term online training love affair with xchange (affiliate link).

But handing over $1150 AUD for a program delivered by someone I’d never even heard of until five days prior? That’s unusual for me.

I asked myself, “What were the trust elements that I noticed without noticing? What were the green flags my body clocked before they could be explained with logic?” I’ve been unpacking them, and thought these green flags might be helpful to you, as you decide where to invest your dollars to grow your business.

Here are the biggest green flags I spotted, in reverse order of influence:

5. The branding on the sales page.

This was the reason I didn’t immediately click away and say, “Nevermind.” I’ve been reviewing landing pages for ten years; I can spot all the DIY tells. The branding signalled “experienced professional who did not start their business yesterday.” It signaled someone who can offer a deeper level of leadership because they are properly supported.

4. Words that turn me on.

The same words that would’ve turned me off years ago now affect me like a sexy lady in silky lingerie: “Ritual theatre,” “servant leadership,” “humans constellating,” “intentional structures for holding transformation.”

Yes, yes, yes. Come to mama. 🤤

3. The timeliness and character of the customer service.

My question got a reply within 24 hours. Not 5 seconds, which would’ve been an orange-ish flag for me, but still in a timely, efficient way. She did not try to convince me. She simply answered my boring question about currency conversion with no-nonsense European practicality.

2. The timing made sense.

Some things are worth rearranging your calendar for, but it’s better when you don’t have to. But in this case the calls fit in my calendar like Cinderella’s foot in her glass slipper.

I don’t interpret the call times as “coincidently perfect.” Hold on to your hat because this will sound wacky coming from someone who spent years dismantling every spiritual belief she ever held, but I believe my brother sent me on a sacred mission, and that he and my ancestors are conspiring to help me. So I pay attention to what’s in my field, what feels natural and doable and an obvious next step on my path. This felt like that.

There was also language on the sales page indicating the provider is thinking about time zone inclusivity, something I’ve been thinking about more since a conversation with a Finland-based speaker on The Girlboss Apology Tour.

1. The sound of her voice.

Her voice was the biggest thing that got me. Her voice was the sound of someone fully present in their body, someone who does not rush, someone who knows what they are about and doesn’t need me to like them in order to feel validated.

I’m not the only one who noticed. My boyfriend walked in the door during the last few minutes of the call. “She has a nice voice,” he said while we were chatting in bed later. He doesn’t normally notice stuff like that. I felt validated.

Given that I am being called to do voice work myself as a Community Song leader, it makes sense that this was the number one green flag. But I’m just putting that together now, as I write this email. It also speaks to how personal green flags can be. Wouldn’t it be nice if I could just make you a list? That’s unfortunately not how it works.

I want to know your green flags.

Even more than that, I want you to know your green flags. I want you to look out for them, and keep your own list.

When you know what they are, I hope you share so we can all learn together.

XOT

Tarzan Kay Kalryzian [she/her] Did someone forward you this email? ​Subscribe here​. Follow me on ​LinkedIn​.

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